The Hiram boys basketball season continues in the state tournament, while county wrestlers had succcess in the state wrestling tournament.

No. 1 seeded Hiram took on Marist in the first round of the AAAA state tournament Friday.

The game began with Hiram doing what it does best: picking up the defensive pressure. Within the first two minutes, the Hornets had two steals and four points because of their defense; however, Marist hung tough and came out of the first quarter on top 19-16.

The second quarter continued much the same way with Marist slowing down the game on offense while Hiram picked up the tempo whenever it got the ball.

At the half, Marist led 38-35.

The third quarter saw a shift of momentum when, with time expiring, Charvis Baulding hit a 3-point basket to put the Hornets up 57-55.

From there, Hiram did not look back.

Due to great play by Marcus Brown, Mario Rolland and Jared Spencer, the Hornet offense picked it up the fourth quarter, scoring 34 points to win the game 91-57.

Marcus Brown led the Hornets with 27 points, followed by Mario Rolland with 23.

“That has been our motto this season, finishing games like that in the fourth quarter,” said Hiram coach Jermaine Sellers. “I think the success in the fourth quarter really comes down to the effort in practice; they always give 100 percent.”

The Hornets were also in action in the region championship game last week against state ranked Hillgrove Feb. 23.

Hiram came out playing great basketball and was even able to overcome a nine-point deficit to win the game 59-56.

“The Hillgrove game was hard fought,” said the coach. “We knew going in we would have to do a good job on the boards. The players played hard down the stretch and refused to lose.”

Hiram hosted Lithia Springs in the second-round of the state tournament Tuesday night. If the Hornets won that contest, they will move on to the state quarterfinals at West Georgia University in Carrollton Friday.

Wrestling recap

For the first time in school history, a North Paulding High School wrestler placed in the state tournament.

Junior Matthew Martel placed fourth in the 140-pound class of the AAAA meet.

His overall record for the season was 43-6.

Also, the South Paulding wrestling team finished fifth in the state tournament with four individual wrestlers placing: Josh Blue, Ronnie Henderson, Jordan Ellison, and Christian Sidwell

In the AAAAA state wrestling tournament, East Paulding fought hard and came out with a seventh-place team finish.

Kevin Olsen placed sixth in the 140-pound class, Dalton Fishback placed fifth in the 145-pound class and Eric Badertscher placed fifth at 285 pounds.

Baseball openers

Teams around Paulding County also took to the diamond to open up their baseball seasons.

The Spartans played two games last week against non-region teams.

South Paulding went to Chapel Hill, falling to the Panthers 6-3 Feb. 25. SPHS blanked Duluth 6-0 on Saturday.

Hiram opened its season against Alexander Feb. 23, losing 6-4.

The Hornets also played Feb. 24, losing 8-4, and Friday, beating Paulding County 14-3.

In addition to Hiram, Paulding County played Cedartown Feb. 25, losing 17-0.

North Paulding took on Carrolton Feb. 22, losing 11-1.

East Paulding squared off against Walton Friday, losing 8-5. The Raiders played again Saturday, routing Sequoyah 12-2.



Baseball schedule

Thursday

Chapel Hill at Hiram

Friday

South Forsyth at East Paulding

Johns Creek at South Paulding

Saturday

Redan at East Paulding

Kennesaw Mountain at North Paulding

Chattahoochee at South Paulding



State Basketball

The Hiram-Lithia Springs winner Tuesday plays in quarterfinals Friday at Carrollton. Team and time were not available at press time.